These Common Acne Mistakes Could Be Sabotaging Your Skin
My AccountFIND A DOCTORFaceAdult AcneAnti-AgingAntioxidantsCelebrityChronic Skin ConditionsEyeHydrationHyperpigmentationMakeupMale Skin CarePeelsPre-Event PrepRetinoidsSensitive SkinSkin CareSkin HealthSmileSun CareTreatmentsAnti-WrinkleFillersMicroneedlingNeurotoxinsPost-Procedure Skin CareRegenerative AestheticsBodyBody SculptingBreastsButtsCelluliteFind a DoctorHair RemovalHands + NailsLegsPregnancyHairBond RepairCelebrity HairDry HairFrizzy HairGray HairHair ColorHair GrowthHair RepairScalp HealthTips + TutorialsAwardsNB100 Awards16th Annual Beauty Awards2025 NewBeauty Readers’ Choice AwardsShoppingBeautyReportGift GuidesNewBeauty StorefrontProduct ReviewsWellnessFitnessGLP-1sHealthMenopauseAbout UsTESTTUBEFaceView All FaceAdult AcneAnti-AgingAntioxidantsCelebrityChronic Skin ConditionsEyeHydrationHyperpigmentationMakeupMale Skin CarePeelsPre-Event PrepRetinoidsSensitive SkinSkin CareSkin HealthSmileSun CareTreatmentsView All TreatmentsAnti-WrinkleFillersMicroneedlingNeurotoxinsPost-Procedure Skin CareRegenerative AestheticsBodyView All BodyBody SculptingBreastsButtsCelluliteFind a DoctorHair RemovalHands + NailsLegsPregnancyHairView All HairBond RepairCelebrity HairDry HairFrizzy HairGray HairHair ColorHair GrowthHair RepairScalp HealthTips + TutorialsAwardsView All AwardsNB100 Awards16th Annual Beauty Awards2025 NewBeauty Readers’ Choice AwardsShoppingView All ShoppingBeautyReportGift GuidesNewBeauty StorefrontProduct ReviewsWellnessView All WellnessFitnessGLP-1sHealthMenopauseAbout UsLoading…FIND A DOCTORTESTTUBE Advertisement Home›Face›Adult Acne These Common Acne Mistakes Could Be Sabotaging Your Skin These are the ones dermatologists see most. Isabelle BuneoInstagramAbout NewBeautyCatharine MalzahnCatharine MalzahnAbout NewBeauty Jun 24, 2026 Getty Images / MelkiNimages In This ArticleAcne Mistake #1: Over-DryingAcne Mistake #2: Picking and PoppingAcne Mistake #3: Waiting Too Long to See a DermatologistAcne Mistake #4: Treating Acne Like a Normal Rite of PassageAcne Mistake #5: Over-Treating Your SkinAcne Mistake #6: Believing Every Acne Hack You See OnlineAcne Mistake #7: Assuming All Oil Is Bad for AcneAcne is the most common skin condition in the U.S., with the American Academy of Dermatology reporting it affects up to 50 million Americans per year. Yet misinformation about how to treat acne remains rampant. Between conflicting social media skin-care advice, endless over-the-counter options and the temptation to skip treatment altogether, you're not alone if you feel like you're accidentally making your breakouts worse instead of better. Sometimes, the biggest acne mistake isn't necessarily what people are doing—it can also be what they're not doing. Acne is frustrating enough that it's easy to reach for not-so-reliable strategies out of desperation—myself included. From delaying professional treatment to over-exfoliating and falling for viral myths,…